STEPHEN Kelly today admitted he expected the relegation battle to go right down to the wire.

The Birmingham City right-back described the Premier League scuffle for survival as 'crazy' because so many teams are embroiled in it.

But he said he felt Blues could get themselves out of danger - even if it was right at the death.

Today's game at Reading is another major fixture, and Blues could do themselves a huge favour with victory.

"If we get a good result there - which we are more than capable of - then we move further up the table," said Kelly, who is due to make his 150th career appearance today.

"We've been scoring goals, we're solid. But I can't put my finger on what it's been, why we've had games like Newcastle, Portsmouth.

"Anyone out there watching, they probably can't say that there is something really jumping out of the page that we are doing wrong because things seem pretty good, but we do concede some bad goals.

"We probably do need a couple of wins but the way the league has been going, it's crazy.

"Teams have been taking points off one another. Nobody seems to want to run away from the pack.

"Hopefully, it doesn't for us but I can see it going down to the wire.

"In the next few weeks hopefully we can make sure that's not the case."

Seven teams are within six points of each other from 12th placed Wigan Athletic downwards. And second from bottom Fulham remain alive.Defensive solidity could be a key factor in deciding the final shake-up.

Blues have only kept three clean sheets all season but generally, in the last few weeks, have managed to tighten it up at the back.

Kelly said that Blues' defence remained upbeat, although the manner of some goals that have been given away still nagged away at them.

"Everybody is throwing themselves into tackles and making blocks and things," he said. "It's not often that teams break us apart and get through, and find gaps in the defence.

"It's kind of like a long ball in, a ricochet, that has unlocked us rather than good play that pulls us out of position.

"That seems to be the way it's gone for us because if you look at our shape and the way we've been playing, the back four have been pretty solid."We've been working well together, been shuffling across and not letting gaps appear.

"Goals we have conceded have come like they did against Newcastle, with a shot across the box, a save and a tap-in, or a ball that's been played in we haven't dealt with because of an odd lapse in concentration.

"For us, that's the kind of stuff we have to stop."

One thing Blues will be during the run-in is together, Kelly stressed.

And Kelly, who has played in every minute of every league and cup match this season, said Blues' determination not to return to the Championship was fierce.

"We're a good bunch of friends. And if you've got 10 mates on the pitch you're going to give that little bit extra and that's what we've got at the moment," he said. "To survive, you've got to have a determination, willingness and desire not to be in the bottom three.

"Some of it is going to luck - you can hit the post and the ball goes one way, hit the post and it goes the other, stuff like that. But in the end I think the teams who want it the most will be the teams who stay up."

As for his own ever-present status, Kelly said: "It's the longest run I've ever had during my career.

"I feel like I've been going from strength to strength. I've played every game, which is what I want to do. As a full-back, people want to see you be consistent and I feel I've shown that."